Livestock and the EnvironmentPlan of Work

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Mason County CES

Title:
Livestock and the Environment
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Tad Campbell, 4-H Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Swine
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

With the uncertainty of tobacco production and continued grain price drops over the last year, more of Mason County fields are seeing an increase of forage conversions. Producers are returning to livestock production to generate farm income, primarily beef cattle. Mason County has traditionally been views as a tobacco and cattle county and now with other commodities returning to normal pricing structure, cattle numbers are increasing for the county. Other types of livestock such as sheep/goats and hogs also seem to be slightly increasing. Youth livestock interest has been a part of the increasing numbers of livestock. Continuing to educate youth about livestock production is vital for sustainability of the industry. The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Producers learn methods for controlled grazing through improving forage quality and varieties and gain knowledge to develop rotational grazing layouts.

Indicator: Producers demonstrate learned methods

Method: post evaluations

Timeline: immediately after programs


Intermediate Outcome: Young farmers that have participated in youth livestock activities begin to build livestock operations locally.

Indicator: Increased number of Young Farmer livestock operations

Method: testimony

Timeline: Fall/Winter


Long-term Outcome: Producers and youth utilize controlled grazing systems, narrow calving windows, higher health management systems, and improving genetics to develop a profitable livestock operation.

Indicator: Higher number of producers and youth utilizing these methods

Method: Follow up evaluations

Timeline: bi annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Livestock Producers 

Project or Activity: Beef Grading/Market Outlook 

Content or Curriculum: Evaluate feeder calves for grading and cows for body condition scores 

Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists, Stockyard Representative 

Date: Winter/spring 


Audience: Cattle Producers 

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance and Care

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist State Certification

Inputs: ANR Agent, producers, UK Beef Team 

Date: Spring/Fall 


Audience: Female Farm Owners/Operators 

Project or Activity: Farm School for Women 

Content or Curriculum: UK research based information 

Inputs: Buffalo Trace ANR Agents, UK specialists 

Date: Annually every fall/winter


Audience: Livestock Producers 

Project or Activity: Beef IRM Project 

Content or Curriculum: Farm plans developed by IRM team for local farms 

Inputs: ANR Agent, IRM team 

Date: Annually every winter/spring 


Audience: Local Farmers 

Project or Activity: Elite Heifer Project/Sale 

Content or Curriculum: Heifers developed to state guidelines KDA/UK

Inputs: ANR Agent, producers

Date: Fall


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Program 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book  

Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified livestock leaders, youth, parents UK specialists, community partners/presenters 

Date: Monthly 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Program 

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video  

Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified livestock leader, youth, parents, UK specialists  

Date:  Monthly from January through August 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Program 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Project Horse Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4; Horse Safety Guidelines; Horse Smarts: Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit 

Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified horse leader, youth, parents, UK specialists, community partners/presenters 

Date: Monthly from September through April



Success Stories

A Fresh Start to an Old Tradition

Author: Tad Campbell

Major Program: Agriculture

With the continuation of COVID across the state, the Mason County Livestock Improvement Association (LIA) was dedicated to continue to host the area youth livestock show and auction.  In 2020, COVID prevented the association from holding the show and auction in the traditional structure, however, the show was held on a cooperating farm without an auction.  For 2021, the group was determined to try to operate the show with an auction as tradition with the event.   Working with the

Full Story

Cost Share for Agriculture Infrastructure

Author: Tad Campbell

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

With the continued global pandemic agriculture is seeing higher input costs for production.  State cost-share programs are allowing local producers to continue to operate during the times of higher production costs.  The local Agriculture Development Council met and appropriated over $243,000 to the County Agriculture Investment Program to fund 77 producers in Mason County.  The funds will be utilized on operations to purchase improved forages, increase herds, agriculture diversif

Full Story

Mason County Livestock Tag-in

Author: Trever Cole

Major Program: Agriculture

On March 9th and May 7th I held county wide tag-ins for livestock projects for both 4-H and FFA. This provided an area for all exhibitors to have their animals tagged and DNA collected.

Full Story
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